Newsroom

I was pleased to join the Arc of Monroe as they announced exciting details to expand their successful Culinary Career Prep, which is part of its Job Path Program. This program trains individuals for a career in the food services industry by providing them with classroom and hands-on training. Way to go Arc of Monroe!

I was pleased to join Mary Cariola Children's Center to help them celebrate the completion of its latest residence center on East River Road. This new home will provide a safe and caring living environment to its six residents and the staff working there. Congratulations to everyone at Mary Cariola Center!

I was humbled to be sworn-in to my latest term in the New York State Senate as part of the Republican Majority Conference. I consider it an honor and privilege to represent the 56th Senate District, and look forward to continuing to be a strong voice for our community at the State Capitol. Let's continue building on our recent successes of on-time budgets, lowering taxes for the hard working men and women of our state and improving the business climate for all New Yorkers! Once again, thank you for your support over the years.

I was honored to help swear in new District Officers and Volunteer Firefighters of the Lake Shore Fire District in the Town of Greece. We are truly grateful for the service these dedicated men and women provide in keeping our community safe by volunteering their time and support to the Lake Shore Fire District.

Many thanks to Hilton High School student Faith Thomas for decorating a patriotic pig to help raise funds for the Hilton Education Foundation's Cadet Cupboard. This pig is on display in my office during December and January, and will be auctioned off at Hilton Education Foundation's annual Comedy Night on Saturday, January 24. This is a fun way for Hilton students to help out and give back to their community. Stop by my office to make your donation today!

I was pleased to help hand out new winter hats and gloves to pre-K and Kindergarten students at the Wilson Foundation Academy recently. The items were graciously donated by my good friend Yolanda Culver, and will help keep these students warm this winter season.

What an exciting day for Bivona Child Advocacy Center and its local partners as they broke ground on their new home at One Mt Hope Avenue in the City of Rochester. This is an incredible project that will renovate one of the oldest commercial buildings in our community, and will benefit everyone at Bivona and their partners. Congratulations and I can't wait to be back for the ribbon cutting!

I was honored to help the Urban League of Rochester break ground on its newest project, M+M Rochester. The Urban League is redeveloping the Michelsen Building in the City of Rochester as part of the M+M Rochester project, and will feature 59 affordable rental apartments. Congratulations to the Urban League of Rochester and everyone involved in this project, and thanks for this investment in the City of Rochester.

Happy belated 100th Birthday to Rochester area resident Jane Welch! I was happy to join Ms. Welch, her family and friends this weekend to celebrate this incredible milestone. Here's to great health and happiness as you celebrate this occasion.

I was pleased to join the Town of Brighton and local veterans for the 10th annual Veterans Appreciation Luncheon. This great event is free for veterans, with all food being donated by local businesses. My sincere thanks to Richard and Deborah Wagner for planning and coordinating this event every year.

December 7, 1941 is a day that will live in infamy in American history. The attacks on Pearl Harbor brought our nation into World War II, changing the course of history. The Rochester community came together yesterday morning at the Rochester Yacht Club to remember all who died that day, and honor those who survived. We were honored to have three local Pearl Harbor survivors in attendance as we paid tribute and remembered those killed during the attacks of December 7, 1941.

Just thirteen months ago, I helped break ground on the Gardens at Town Center on Latta Road in the Town of Greece. Yesterday, I helped cut the ribbon on this state of the art senior living center, which will provide seniors in our community with affordable housing and all of the great amenities that come with it! Congratulations to Nelson Leenhouts and everyone at Home Leasing on this great project.

Congratulations to Mark Fuller and DePaul on the completion of their latest project, the Carriage Factory Apartments. Located in the Susan B. Anthony neighborhood in the City of Rochester, these studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments will offer affordable housing tenants in the former Cunningham Carriage Factory building. This is an incredible transformation of this building and site, and will help the revitalization of this area of the City of Rochester.

Today, I joined with local government officials, labor leaders and community members as part of the Rebuild NY Now campaign to help raise awareness about our state's aging infrastructure needs. As Senate Transportation Committee Chairman, I will continue to advocate for improving our state's roads and bridges, which will help to keep New Yorkers safe when traveling and provide good paying construction jobs to hard working men and women. My thanks to all of the Town Supervisors, Village Mayors, Labor Leaders and other community members for their participation and support of this effort.

It was an exciting day yesterday in downtown Rochester for the grand opening of 300 Alexander Street. This incredible project, developed by Mark IV Enterprises, has transformed a 1850s building into modern, state of the art apartments. Abandoned for too long, this building will now provide housing in the heart of East and Alexander. Once again, congratulations to the DiMarzo's and everyone at Mark IV Enterprises!

I was pleased to help ring in the holiday season at the annual Town of Greece Tree Lighting ceremony last night. It was great to see the excitement for the holiday season at Town Hall, and to see so many people come out to enjoy the Christmas music and holiday cheer!

Thank you for your wonderful contribution to the Thanksgiving Day Creative Celebration. In our first year, we received outstanding poems, essays, and artwork that exemplify the creativity of New York State’s young people.

The submissions received are remarkable in what they represent – showing gratitude and respect for family, friends, our troops fighting overseas, and many other important subjects and activities. I am humbled and honored to see such inspiring contributions in response to what is a deceptively difficult question: “What are you thankful for?”

On behalf of the New York State Senate, I would like to offer my wholehearted congratulations to all of the participants in this year’s Thanksgiving Day Creative Celebration.

I recently had the pleasure of meeting with 7th grade students at Greece Athena Middle School to discuss laws and penalties against sex offenders in New York. The students at Athena prompted this discussion by sending letters to my office expressing their concerns as part of their health education curriculum. I am proud to have sponsored and supported legislation to toughen the penalties against convicted sex offenders in our state. Thanks to the students at Athena for their concern and efforts.

I was pleased to join officials from the Town of Greece to help open the newly relocated Barnard Crossing Branch Library. Now located at 2808 Dewey Avenue, this new facility will be more cost-friendly to the town while providing the same great services and amenities to library patrons.